“But you, Bethlehemi Ephrathah,         though you are small among the clans of Judah,          out of you will come for me          one who will be ruler over Israel,          whose origins are from of old,          from ancient times.”Micah 5:2Full Readings: Micah 5:1-4, Mathew 2:3-12It’s the fifth day of the first week of Advent. A week of hope. A week to reflect on the anticipation of the birt...  Read More

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord,    “when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch,a King who will reign wisely    and do what is just and right in the land.In his days Judah will be saved    and Israel will live in safety.This is the name by which he will be called:    The Lord Our Righteous Saviour.Jeremiah 23:5-6Full Readings: Jeremiah 23:5-6 & 33:14-16, Matthew 2:1-2It’s the fourt...  Read More

Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.Isaiah 7:14Full Readings: Isaiah 7:10-16, Matthew 1:18-25 It’s the third day of the first week of Advent. A week of hope. A week to reflect on the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.Advent is all about liminality (you can look that one up - great word). ...  Read More

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a branch will bear fruit. The spirit of the Lord will rest on him.Isaiah 11:1Full Readings: Isaiah 11:1-10 & Matthew 1:1-17It’s the second day of the first week of Advent. A week of hope. A week to reflect on the anticipation of the birth of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.And so, we draw from the period of the exile of Israel. I want you to t...  Read More

The LORD God said to the serpent,       “Because you have done this,       cursed are you above all livestock       and above all beasts of the field;       on your belly you shall go,       and dust you shall eat       all the days of your life. I will put enmity between you and the woman,       and between your offspring and her offspring;       he shall bruise your head,       and you shall bru...  Read More

29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”Mark 8:29Tomorrow we start our Advent Blog Series - in anticipation of Christmas, the celebration of the arrival of the Messiah.But today, let’s remember who it is we are anticipating. The Messiah. God’s promised King who comes to save His people from their sins.Questions/Thoughts/Tips:Say the passage ou...  Read More

Greet one another with a holy kiss.2 Corinthians 13:12No. It’s ok. I’m not going to suggest we start doing this. I don’t think Paul is either (well, not exactly). In the Greek/Roman world of the early Church, similar to perhaps modern day France or Italy (before COVID), some form of kissing on the cheek was standard practice. It’s a physical gesture that indicates welcoming and closeness. It’s a c...  Read More

The Israelites are to observe the Sabbath, celebrating it for the generations to come as a lasting covenant. It will be a sign between me and the Israelites forever, for in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, and on the seventh day he rested and was refreshed.’ ”Exodus 31:16-17Just like I’ve had a poor relationship with work, the same is true with rest.I used to think that rest was d...  Read More

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they existed and were created.”Revelation 4:11Like most of us, I am in awe of God’s creation. As I write this blog, I look out to the mountains and the sky, the sun is just rising. The birds provide the soundtrack backed up with the faint sound of waves crashing. No human technolog...  Read More

Q. 6. How many persons are there in the Godhead?A. There are three persons in the Godhead; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory.Westminster Shorter CatechismWhat do eggs and ice have in common? Both favourites of Youth Leaders to illustrate the Trinity. The truth is that no illustration from our world can truly captur...  Read More

“To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling out to others:“‘We played the pipe for you, and you did not dance;we sang a dirge, and you did not mourn.’For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’ The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors...  Read More

23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.Colossians 3:23-24I’ve always had a patchy relationship with work. I like it, but I hate it. Like many of you, I don’t want to work. So when I see Paul say, whatever you do, work a...  Read More